Isengard
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings, Isengard (/ˈaɪzənɡɑːrd/) is a large fortress in Nan Curunír, the Wizard's Vale, in the western part of Middle-earth. In the fantasy world, the name of the fortress is described as a translation of Angrenost, a word in the elvish language Sindarin, which Tolkien invented. (In fact it is an Old English word meaning "iron enclosure".)
| Isengard | |
|---|---|
| J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium location | |
The Orcs of Isengard bore upon their shields the symbol of the White Hand on a black field. | |
| First appearance | The Fellowship of the Ring |
| In-universe information | |
| Other name(s) | Angrenost, Nan Curunír, Wizard's Vale |
| Type | Fortress built to guard the Gap of Rohan |
| Ruler | Saruman |
| Locations | The Tower of Orthanc, the Ring of Isengard, the pillar of the White Hand, the Isen |
| Location | Calenardhon |
| Lifespan | Second Age – Fourth Age |
| Founder | Gondor, during the time of Isildur |
In The Lord of the Rings, Orthanc, a tower at the centre of Isengard, is the home of the Wizard Saruman. He had been ensnared by the Dark Lord Sauron through the tower's palantír, a far-seeing crystal ball able to communicate with others like it. Saruman had bred Orcs in Isengard, in imitation of Sauron's forces, to be ready for war with Rohan. The Orcs cut down many trees in the forest of the Ents, who retaliated by destroying Isengard while the army of Orcs was away attacking Rohan at Helm's Deep. However, the Ents were unable to harm the tower of Orthanc. Saruman, isolated in the tower, was visited by some members of the Fellowship of the Ring; his staff was broken by the Wizard Gandalf.
Isengard has been described by Tolkien scholars as an industrial hell, and as an illustration of the homogeneity of evil, in contrast to the evident diversity of the free societies of Middle-earth, including those of the Elves, Dwarves, and Gondor. Others have compared it to Vichy France, and its proposed governor on behalf of Mordor, the Mouth of Sauron, to a traitorous Quisling.